Homeowner Interview & Assessment

A Brush with Kindness is not a housing product but a comprehensive service that put people living in their home as #1 priority. We connect caring volunteers that desire to serve their community with struggling homeowners that need their homes repaired and restored.

We assess the home and interview the homeowner during the same visit with the same person. We use one person for both tasks to create a clear, consistent relationship with our homeowners. Because many of our homeowners are vulnerable adults, having one person be the primary contact allows us to build necessary trust to move a project forward.

Home Assessment

A Brush with Kindness has moved to an electronic home assessment form.

See link: Home Assessment - Salesforce. tchabitat.org

We use the Salesforce application to assess homeowner needs. We assess our ABWK homes using a smart phone.

At Twin Cities Habitat, we do not do a full home assessment but address immediate health and safety concerns.

We listen to the homeowners story, understand and address their concerns and make sure we take care of any city code violations or insurance cancellation issues. We listen to homeowner concerns about their home and respond to their needs and desires of health and safety as well as the community priorities of safety and value. Home Maintenance Home Repair Accessible

Helping More Families with Online Tools

We work with many partner agencies that refer homeowners to our program. Several of these agencies help families fill out applications in their office or at a clients home. We have developed an online application to help agencies assist homeowners expedite filling out and sending in their applications.

It can take 3-6 months to process an application from the time we receive an application to completion of a project. Many of our homeowners are in dire need so we work hard at narrowing the process time as much as possible.

One of the ways we have helped to speed up the application process was to change our data base. We now use Salesforce which is a free (for non-profits) online data base. Our online data base automatically imports data from our online homeowner application which helps to expedite the application process.

We also have an online home assessment tool which also syncs its data with our Salesforce data base, again significantly speeds up our project turnaround time.

More and more of our homeowner families are using online banking, bill pay and filling out various applications for service online, we felt it was a natural progression to move our application to a digital online format. Even though we are expecting only 25% of families will use this option, we believe that most agencies who assist homeowners with filling out their application will use our online tool. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Our online application and home assessment tool helps us serve more families in a timely manner. Click the link to view our online application.

http://tchabitat.force.com/abwkonlineapp

Serving Families Deeper

We build and rehab homes through our homebuilding program. We also do home maintenance and restoration through A Brush with Kindness.

When I created A Brush with Kindness it was because the local paint programs (one that I lead) were inadequate to stem the tide of home and neighborhood deterioration.

These beautification programs focused on the exterior of the home without addressing common health and safety issue's such as roofing, window failure, interior wall, ceiling and flooring issue's as well as electrical, heating/cooling and plumbing issue's.

Paint is a beautiful finishing touch and home preserver. However, without replacing parts of the rotted exterior envelop, failing interior parts, we are just putting on a temporary facade that is not very helpful to the homeowner or their long-term viability.

We do a lot of painting through ABWK, which is why we first focus on fixing both exterior and interior health and safety issue's that will assist families remain living in their home.

Did we begin our program replacing roofs or changing out electrical systems? No, we grew into helping homeowners in deeper ways. However, early on we made homeowners aware of their situation and assisted in troubleshooting solutions, sometimes serving them in multiple years to get the necessary work completed.

Exterior paint and minor restoration can help preserve a home and spruce up a neighborhood. Yet, to have a major impact on families and communities it is necessary to expand your program to a deeper scope of work.

Also, I know affiliates are promoting multiple "housing solutions" to their communities. However, what we have found is that marketing multiple maintenance programs only confuses your constituents. Also, things like weatherization may be helpful to homeowners, but it is better to use your precious budget dollars for more significant health and safety issue's.

Even if your affiliate prefers promoting several housing solutions you may want to consider having them people focused like homebuyer and homeowner services rather than housing products or solutions. Just a thought.

Applicant Checklist

A Brush with Kindness has a significant amount of paperwork that homeowners are required to fill out and return to us.  Yet, we try to simplify the documents and make them as easy to understand as possible. 

Many of the homeowners we partner with are "vulnerable adults" and need assistance navigating the applicant paperwork.  Our staff gives significant help to homeowners trying to understand and navigate the steps to partnership.  However, we also rely on community agencies to assist homeowners with the application process as well.  Walking closely alongside homeowners during the application process helps to create a successful of project

To assist us in keeping family applications moving forward and help our staff organize the process, we have created an Applicant Checklist. The Applicant Checklist walks us through each step of the process from the completed application form through project completion.  A final MOU walk through with the family brings closure to the agreed upon work.

I have attached the document draft here:  Applicant Checklist

Work Scope Checklist

Families, volunteers, staff, work scope and materials are brought together through our project management process. Initially, this can be accomplished by one or more staff and/or a committee. However, it is critical to have a designated person for home renovation projects once you get to a critical mass. ABWK projects need to move at a different pace than home building and require a point person to bring all the components together for a successful project. Below is our ABWK project management process: abwk habitat for humanity

_____Set up homeowner meeting after all application requirements are met.
_____Meet with the homeowner and complete homeowner interview.
a. Review the family situation.  Take notes for Homeowner Assessment.
b. Remind family of what our program is all about.
c. Give family a homeowner packet – Brochure, Review, Requirements, Covenant and lead brochure (Renovate Right).
d. Tour house with homeowner and discuss work requested from the application.
e. From project manager or site supervisor assessment, discuss work scope and what can be expected from Habitat.
f. Discuss MOU and what work will be included in the project.
g. Pick out paint colors or any special material issues or requests.
h. Explain Homeowner Pledge Program (projects over $3,000)
        - Discuss the parameters of the pledge program and how the 7 year forgivable mortgage/note works.
i. Communicate clearly with the homeowner the eligibility process and family partnership responsibilities.

______Complete Work Scope Summary, Homeowner Assessment and MOU.
______Send Mortgage/Note to homeowner for review and signature.
______Contact homeowner to set up work dates and a meeting with Volunteer Team Leader(s). At the meeting make sure everyone is on same page concerning work, dates and other significant details. The homeowner meeting with the Volunteer Team Leader(s) is only for groups that are full house sponsors.
______Send signed MOU to homeowner that outlines what work Habitat commits to and wait for their signature and returned form.
______Schedule volunteer group workdays: Usually at least 60 days in advance. Most projects are completed within 3-5 days depending on the scope of work.
______After the work is completed, communicate clearly with the homeowner what was done and discuss any outstanding issues. Check off MOU (punch list) with homeowner and have them sign that work is complete.
______Send a copy of the mortgage and note to the homeowner after all work is completed and is filed with the county.

These are the basic project management process for preparing  and completing an ABWK renovation project.

What is a Critical Home Repair?

Recently, I have been hearing from various sources about the difference between ABWK work and "critical home repair" work.  Some have said that any work done on a home with a value of over $5,000 would fall into critical home repair.  Others specify critical repairs such as roof replacement or faulty wiring that include housing code violations and emergency situations.

At Twin Cities Habitat, some work we do valued over $5,000 is what we would call a critical home repair, other similar valued projects are not.  Twin Cities Habitat also includes many other home projects under $5,000 as being critical for families ability to continue living in their homes.

Accessibility work is a critical project need that ABWK supports with railings, ramps and flooring for individuals to be able to successfully live in their homes.  We have received numerous calls from rehab facilities saying they cannot release a patient to return to their home until these supports are in place.  We also do a lot of preventative repairs on steps, sidewalks and steps to help seniors and the disabled keep from dangerous falls.

Homeowner insurance loss is another critical homeowner issue that threatens the stability of families we serve.  Many of our homeowners are threatened with the loss of there homeowners insurance if they do not get critical home repairs completed.  ABWK helps families avoid losing homeowners insurance and possible loss of their home if a disaster strikes.

City Code Violations and subsequent fines are another sitiuation where ABWK work on a families home is critical to their financial stability.  Many families cannot afford to make repairs on their properties which eventually becomes a neighborhood eye sore and subject to municipal action. 

Exposed lead paint on homes occupied by single parents with small children is another critical situation that needs prompt attention.  When lead paint starts to peel and chip where small children can be exposed in their play area's, this becomes a critical home fix up.  Also, an unsecured broken doors from a burglary is also an emergency critical home repair that is fixed or replace by ABWK.

A Brush with Kindness at TCHFH, evaluates possible projects based on critical family need and impact rather than dollar value or predetermined construction activity which may or may not fall into the category of a critical home repair.  A critical home repair is one that needs timely attention and contributes to keeping families living in a safe, decent home.  abwk habitat for humanity

Note: all homeowner occupied projects (critical or not) fall under A Brush with Kindness work.

Collaborating with Your ReStore

Our ReStore is providing creative ways for A Brush with Kindness to serve more families with critical home renovation needs.  Currently, A Brush with Kindness receives 10-15% of our materials from our ReStore.  This percentage would be significantly greater if we did not receive a lot of donated materials from other sources.  Through our ReStore, some qualified ABWK families receive materials for free (donated items) and others at cost (purchased).

We are also preparing to market ABWK to our ReStore customers and send our ABWK families to our ReStore after we serve them or even more importantly, if we cannot serve them but still qualify for assistance.
 
After 12 years, we serve approximately 40-50% of those that apply to our program.  One of the ways we are serving more homeowners is by providing materials and technical assistance to homeowners and having families find their own labor.  This has allowed us to serve an extra 20-25 families a year.

We also plan on partnering with our ReStore to provide a tool lending service (to the public and ABWK families) and diy assistance and training for those who need a little direction to get needed renovations completed on their own  This will allow us to serve even more families outside our traditional ABWK services.

By connecting some of our ABWK and ReStore resources, we are able to provide a broader range of services to meet more of the housing needs in our community.  abwk habitat for humanity

Energy Efficiency Work

ABWK is looking to expand our energy efficiency work in the Twin Cities.  Currently, we do minor caulking as well as limited door and window replacement.  We do not replace all windows and doors but usually replace/repair 2-3 windows and doors per project.  However, we are looking to doing entire window and door replacement, as well as caulking and providing energy efficient appliances/devices.  These weatherization and energy effiency services would add to our volunteer friendly activities and provide additional critical services to the homeowners we serve.

A comprehensive home energy audit as well as insulation work would be sub-contracted as these additional homeowner services would need additional staffing and are not volunteer friendly.

Today, it is too expensive to be able to serve a significant number of homeowners in this comprehensive manner.  We are currently partnering with our Community Action agencies to provide some of these critical services but are looking to close the gap between what each organization currently provides.

We are looking to fund this additional work through cash and in-kind contributions from a combination of public and private sources. 

I will keep you posted on our progress to expand into these new services.  abwk.net habitat for humanity

The 3 R's of ABWK

We have broken down the ministry of A Brush with Kindness into 3 area's - Renovation, ReStore and Referral.  These 3 area's give us a broad array of services to provide our community.  The renovation consists of homeowner occupied repairs, accessibility adaptations, landscaping/cleanup and lots of painting. 

We also work with our ReStore to assist homeowners with do it yourself projects.  We provide extra discounts for homeowners that qualify for our program and give technical assistance and follow-up as needed.  We advertise ABWK at our ReStore and partner closely with the staff.

Referral is another area where we are working hard to develop.  We obviously cannot serve everyone who needs assistance.  However, we can continue to expand our service and influence through referring homeowners to partner organizations (i.e. Rebuilding Together and Community Action etc.) and other valuable resources. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Let me know if you have similar idea's for your ABWK program.  Thanks.  abwk.net habitat for humanity

Choosing Your Scope of Work for ABWK

When ABWK first began in the Twin Cities our work scope was simple. We provided homeowners in our community with basic exterior repair and painting. Since we did not have many resources but had a lot of donated paint and abundance of volunteers, offering basic exterior work were became an easy way for us to quickly begin serving more families.

Providing this simple service proved to be a great benefit to our community as well. Our home painting made a big visual impact.  Transforming the exterior of a home with a new coat of paint brought volunteers great satisfaction; it restored the pride of our homeowner families and gave our affiliate a big marketing bang in the neighborhood and in the media.

Still, many other homes we saw needed extensive exterior and interior renovation.  Replacing porch/decks, roofing, siding, doors, ramps and windows on the exterior was a common need.  Also, replacing flooring, installing smoke detectors, railings drywall repair on the interior was a common need as well.  However, in the early stages of your program, it is easy to get overwhelmed with work scope on homes that need a great deal of renovation services. In most cases, you will want to avoid these homes in the near future.  Even in some cases when you are ready to tackle bigger projects, you will sometimes need to reject homes because the home is too far gone and/or the homeowner's ability to continue to care for it is in significant question.

For the first few years of our program, we kept our focus primarily on minor exterior repairs and painting.  We gradually increased our work scope over several years.  However, we did make exceptions when resources (materials and labor) became available or were able to partner with another group to get work accomplished.  Being flexible in work scope helped us to grow the program more quickly and built our reputation in the community as we were able to expand our services.

Also, a significant growth area for our program has been partnering with homeowner families who provide the entire labor for a project. Families do the work themselves or know people who can donate labor. We provide materials (purchased, donated and restore materials) and follow up to make sure the work is completed. This has been a great way to serve more families at a reduced cost for the affiliate.

Financial resources are the obvious hurdle to the growth of your program. Your ability to raise private sponsorships or find public dollars will determine how quickly your program can significantly expand its work scope.

However, the need for minor exterior repairs (soffit, facia, decking, siding and window/glass) and a fresh coat of paint is of itself a huge need in most communities and will fill a much needed gap in services. Whatever work scope you choose for your program, A Brush with Kindness will help enhance your affiliate’s reputation, impact and influence in your community. Home Repair Aging in Place

New EPA Lead Rules

By the end of April all contractors that receive compensation are required by law to follow new EPA rules when disturbing homes containing lead based paint.  Habitat falls into this category when we rehab. older occupied or unoccupied homes.  If affiliates take HUD funds, the are additional requirements in dealing with lead based paint.

I have taken the lead requirements and condensed them into a 4 page lead safe summary document for easier reference.  We are also working with our regional EPA to get future clarification on how these rules might be changed in general and for volunteer programs like Habitat.

It is a good idea to check with the EPA website for periodic changes and to work with your regional office for any questions or clarifications.  The EPA website is epa.gov/lead.  To find the EPA regional office see epa.gov/epahome/postal.htm#regional. (Home Repair)